Children concurrently wasted and stunted: A meta-analysis of prevalence data of
children 6-59 months from 84 countries
#MMPMID28944990
Khara T
; Mwangome M
; Ngari M
; Dolan C
Matern Child Nutr
2018[Apr]; 14
(2
): e12516
PMID28944990
show ga
Children can be stunted and wasted at the same time. Having both deficits greatly
elevates risk of mortality. The analysis aimed to estimate the prevalence and
burden of children aged 6-59 months concurrently wasted and stunted. Data from
demographic and health survey and Multi-indicator Cluster Surveys datasets from
84 countries were analysed. Overall prevalence for being wasted, stunted, and
concurrently wasted and stunted among children 6 to 59 months was calculated. A
pooled prevalence of concurrence was estimated and reported by gender, age,
United Nations regions, and contextual categories. Burden was calculated using
population figures from the global joint estimates database. The pooled
prevalence of concurrence in the 84 countries was 3.0%, 95% CI [2.97, 3.06],
ranging from 0% to 8.0%. Nine countries reported a concurrence prevalence greater
than 5%. The estimated burden was 5,963,940 children. Prevalence of concurrence
was highest in the 12- to 24-month age group 4.2%, 95% CI [4.1, 4.3], and was
significantly higher among boys 3.54%, 95% CI [3.47, 3.61], compared to girls;
2.46%, 95% CI [2.41, 2.52]. Fragile and conflict-affected states reported
significantly higher concurrence 3.6%, 95% CI [3.5, 3.6], than those defined as
stable 2.24%, 95% CI [2.18, 2.30]. This analysis represents the first multiple
country estimation of the prevalence and burden of children concurrently wasted
and stunted. Given the high risk of mortality associated with concurrence, the
findings indicate a need to report on this condition as well as investigate
whether these children are being reached through existing programmes.
free
free
free
